Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

I, too, welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion. However, I would like in the first instance to respond to the Minister's remarks in regard to the Technical Group. What the Minister said was not necessary, fair or warranted. A member of the Technical Group sought to raise an important issue this morning, namely, the protest of students in the city today in relation to broken promises by the Government, many of which promises the Minister was elected on. That is the matter which the Deputy wished to raise. He was not objecting to the taking of this motion. I did not speak to the Deputy prior to his raising the matter nor have I since then.

As a member of the Technical Group, I want to defend our record. We are not in any way undermining or opposing this worthy motion. It is a pity the Minister introduced those remarks into his speech, which I am sure was prepared before today. However, that is not surprising having previously heard the Minister make nasty remarks across the House to Members. What the Minister said, could not be further from the truth. I and other members of the Technical Group and Opposition were not aware that the time for raising issues is lost when a number of votes have been called. The matter was raised given the importance of the issue and for no other reason. We are all fully supportive of this motion, which seeks to meet the request of the imminent chairperson, Judge Smithwick.

On the last occasion Judge Smithwick raised the issue of extension of the timeframe, the Minister raised eyebrows to it. The tribunal is taking a long time to complete its work but it is dealing with a sensitive issue. I accept other tribunals are also dealing with sensitive and important issues such as fraud and so on. However, in this instance traumatised families are involved. They have paid the ultimate sacrifice in terms of the murder of the two RUC officers concerned. It has been suggested that there was a mole in the Garda Síochána. The good name of the Garda Síochána must be cleared. I understand the tribunal has so far heard from 105 witnesses and that it has a small number of staff, unlike other tribunals, current and past, which are lengthy and often present reports which one would need a great deal of time to read or an assistant to carry them from A to B.

The Technical Group supports the motion. We wish the tribunal a speedy conclusion. It is hoped all the witnesses, of which there are a number, will be listened to. As I stated earlier, the ultimate sacrifice was the death of the two RUC officers on that perilous day as they returned home from the Republic, as was the case in respect of so many other tragedies in the North. It is important the tribunal is given the time it needs to complete its work. The Minister stated that if further time is required, that will be considered. However, I do not believe that will be necessary. I believe those involved are interested in bringing this matter to a conclusion and in clearing the names of particular people. It is hoped that if wrongdoing is discovered it too will be outed.

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